United Planet Gap Year Programs
Volunteer Abroad (6 months and 1 year)

• Africa
• Latin America
• Asia

• Middle East
• Europe

Gap year or interim semester programs provide high school and college students as well as recent grads and professionals looking for a new experience with a chance to be inspired and gain valuable international experience. United Planet gap year programs enable individuals to volunteer abroad, while learning a new language, developing practical skills, and gaining insight into another way of life.

Making the Transition

Gap year programs allow you to take time off from the pressures of school or work.  They afford far greater life lessons that can not be taught in the classroom or on the job. Many “gappers” find that they return after a year out more mature, independent and with greater drive, focus, and appreciation of the world and our neighbors abroad.  

Life Lessons

An experience abroad places the individual in unfamiliar situations and forces him/her to make decisions independently, to learn to contextualize a scenario within the framework of a different set of values. Learning to make decisions without the comfort of falling back on your usual support network of family and friends at home can be a very empowering experience and builds strong leadership skills. This process and exchange allows for real, personal growth—volunteers come out of the experience with greater maturity, self-esteem and focus.  Returned volunteers often find that they no longer take what they have for granted now that they have gained a new outlook on life.

International Experience

A volunteer abroad experience also affords great lessons in humility, empathy, and interpersonal conflict resolution. Learning how to debate cultural differences is a positive lesson in tolerance, compassion and appreciating different perspectives. The experience opens volunteers’ eyes to a different way of thinking—one that is not influenced by American values or identity. Seeing the United States through the lens of a foreign culture is important for Americans to better understand how their country is perceived abroad.

Given that one third of all U.S. students now take more than four years to finish college—after changing majors, making up credits missed while abroad, etc.—the investment in a gap year appears to be financially rewarding as well. Click here  to read the NY Times article on gap year programs.

Gap year programs prepare students to be responsible global citizens. Moreover, volunteers often find this kind of overseas experience enlightening—many have found their life’s passion, hidden talents and skills, and the path to future vocations during a gap program.